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Trump Says Gulf Allies Push Iran Talks as US Seeks Nuclear Deal

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US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Middle Eastern allies are pushing for continued negotiations with Iran as the US seeks to block Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Trump made the remarks while interacting with reporters during a visit to the ballroom construction site.

"We have to make sure that Iran doesn't get a nuclear weapon," Trump said, adding that the US may deliver "another big hit" if negotiations collapse.

Trump said Gulf countries recently contacted the White House and told him they had "made a lot of progress" in ongoing talks with Tehran.

He added that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain are helping negotiate with Iran. "We're all working together," Trump said, adding that they were working as a team along with Israel.

Trump said recent strikes severely weakened Iran's military, adding "their missiles are 82% gone," while much of the country's naval and air force capacity has also been destroyed.

"One way or the other, whether it's military or an agreement," Trump said, noting that the issue will be resolved soon.

"President Xi has promised me that he's not sending any weapons to Iran," Trump said, while adding that China wants the Strait of Hormuz to remain open because it receives 40% of its oil through the route.

Trump said Iran has treated the Strait of Hormuz as a geopolitical weapon for decades, adding, "I want it open, and we'll get it open."

The US President said gasoline prices could rise temporarily during the conflict, although the administration remains focused on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Growing oil shipments from Texas, Louisiana and Alaska should help stabilize energy supplies, adding "there is so much oil out there," Trump said.

"I thought the market would go down 25% and I was okay with that," Trump said, adding that preventing a "nuclear holocaust" outweighed market concerns.

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